Farm light



H. R. GROSS FARM LIGHT May 16, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HZ/ ear 17.

Filed Dec. 28, 1949 y 1950 H. R. GROSS 2,508,063

FARM LIGHT I Filed Dec. 28, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN I 'ENTOR.

This invention is concerned generally with a Fig. 4 is a fragmentaryview taken along the spotlight and more specifically with a portableline 4-4 of Fig. 2; spotlight for operation from a commercial power Fig.5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken line to give a focused beam ofgreat intensity. along the line 55 of Fig. 2;

The necessity for a small portable light p- Fig. 6 is a perspective viewof a filament and erable from a commercial power line and capable tsmount; .of projecting an intense beam over an extended Fig. '7 is aperspective view of a modification distance for intermittent periodsarises frequently 0f the structure shown in Fig. 6; in farms andsuburban homes. Emergency situ- Fig. 8 is a perspective view of theintermediate ations involving repair jobs, assistance in livefilament pprt; stock birth, veterinary treatment of livestock, and Fig. 9 is a perpective view similar to Fig. 8 investigation of noises caused bystraying liveshowing a ot mod ficat and stock, prowlers and othersources are constantly ig. 10 is a fra y p p ve V ShOW- arising andrequire the use of such a light. ng a connection at one end of thefilament to a A lamp is herein provided for intermittent n S ppemergency operation from a commercial power AS Seen n S- a Spotlightembodying the Patented May 1% 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE] FARMLIGHT Henry R. Gross, Chicago, 111.

Application December 28, 1949, Serial No. 135,493

6 Claims. (01.176-34) line to produce an intense circular beam. Thepresent inv ntion comprises e r lly a housing lamp is rugged,lightweight and portable, and i l2, a handle i4 secured to the housing,a supportwell balanced for hand operation. The filament 111g Stand 6also Secured to the housing, and a of the lamp is constructed andarranged to apbulb 0f the Sealed beam yp having a proximate the focalpoint of a parabolic reflector parabolic reflector 20 and Clear glasslens A and support is provided f the fil t to lens of stippled glass orthe like is undesirable as tect the filament and to maintain thefilament in i 1S f h thereby- The bulb proper position substantiallyfree from sagging as 15 mounted Wlthm a housmg by means structure whichmay be conventional, including a supporting flange 24 extending inwardlyof the housing 12 and a mounting ring 26 securable over the edge of thehousing and rim of the bulb to hold the bulb in position. The ring 26may be a split ring and may have a flange 28 fitting within acooperating groove in the housing l2 when the ring is drawn together bysuitable structure '30 which is in turn covered by an auxiliary as itsoftens and expands with heat and vibrates due to inductive forces setup by alternating current in the coils of the filament. Plug-inelectrical connections for the light bulb to prevent a shock to theoperator are adapted to withstand heat and to occupy a minimum of 30space. All of these features contribute to produce a portable spotlightof high intensity for intermittent emergency operation.

Objects of the invention are the provision of housmg an emergencyspotlight of high power of light 5 The stand, l6 comprises acircularportion of Weight, of instant portability, and of great heavyw1re having a central upstanding arm 35 ruggedness for repeatedrelatively short periods Fermmated by an eye A bifurcated bracket 38 ofOperation from a commercial power Source; of is secured to the undersideof the housing as by a rivets placed through it and a complementaryfilamfmt f3Onentr ated about the focal pomt. of 40 plate 40 on the innersurface of the housing. The a focusing reflector, and of means forsupporting th fil nt to t ct a t 1 1 h ck eye 36 of the support fitsbetween the arms of the 8 am 9 1 gams plysm S 0 bifurcated bracket 38. Athreaded bolt 42 is and to maintain it 1n proper position substanpassedthrough the bracket and eye and a wing tially free from sagging as itsoftens and expands nut 44 acts to clamp the bracket against the eye dueto heatmg- 45 to secure the spotlight in any desirable position, otherand further ObJects and advantages of the arms of the bracket beingsufficiently resilient the present invention will be apparent from the tn Such clamping f ow description When taken n conjunc- The handle i4 isangularly disposed relative tiOn Wit e p y g drawings in Whiehi to theaxis of the housing to provide a convenient 1 s a p p v v w of aportable p hand grip and is preferably made of wood or lamp embodying myinvention; heat insulating plastic material to prevent heat Fig. 2 is aside view mostly in cross section from the filament from beingtransferred to the taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1; operators hand.The handle is'hollow and has a Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken alongthe line lower portion or grip 46 angularly disposed rela- 22 of Fig. 1;tive to an upper or securing portion 48 which has an inner face 50generally conforming in shape to the exterior surface of the housing I2.A gasket 52 of asbestos is placed between the face 50 and the outersurface of the housing I2 and the handle I4 is secured to the housing bymeans such as screws or rivets 54. An asbestos pad 56 is cemented orotherwise secured over the washers 54 on the inner face of the rear ofthe housing I2 further to prevent heat transfer to the handle I4. Thebutt of the handle is apertured to receive a drop cord 58 which may beof any convenient length. As seen in Fig. 3, the handle I4 comprises abody portion 60 of substantially channel shape and a cover 62 securedthereto by any desirable means such as screws. A transversely extendingwall 64 is secured within the body portion 60 and a second transversewall 66 projects from the cover 62 to abut against the wall 64.Complementary semicircular openings in the walls provide a circularopening through which the conductors 68 of the drop cord 58 extend. Aclip I secured about the conductors prevents their being pulled backthrough the aperture formed in the transverse walls. One of theconductors 68 is connected to a switch I2 carried within the handle I4while the second conductor is spliced by means of a coupling I4 to anasbestos covered wire I6 leading to a socket 18. A second asbestoscovered wire 80 interconnects the switch 12 and the socket I8.

Filament leads or supporting rods 82 extend from the rear of the bulb orlamp I8 along with a seal 84 in a conventional manner. To provide forready replacement of the bulb while precluding the possibility of shockto the operator, I have presented a plug and socket connectionillustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. A metal cap 86 is clamped about the baseof the bulb and carries an insulating block 88 which may be of heatresistant Bakelite, ceramic or other material. A pair of upright prongs90 is carried by the block 88 in transverse relation to the axis of thebulb I8. The filament leads 82 may be integral with or soldered orotherwise secured to leads 9| connected to the upper ends of the prongsand the lower ends of the prongs are received by apertures in the socketI8 which is connected to the lead wires 76 and 80. The transversearrangement of the prongs makes it possible to have a considerablyshorter axial length of housing than would be possible with an axiallyextending plug and socket connection.

The filament leads 82 provide a main support for the filament andconsist of horizontally arranged bars or rods, the extremities 92 ofwhich are bent toward one another. The bars or rods may be solid orhollow and are flattened and bent over at the.end to clamp the filament94 rigidly at the terminal ends or extremities of the incandescentportions thereof (Fig. The wire of the filament has a length on theorder of two to three feet and is kinked and coiled throughout itslength with the exception of the central portion which is kinked only toreduce this overall length to something on the order of an inch or less.The size of the kinks or small coils is so minute as to preclude showingthem in detail in the drawings. The filament wire itself is made asshort as possible to insure the greatest possible ruggedness and toallow over-voltage operation for the production of an intense lightbeam. The filament is clamped substantially along the axes of the largecoils as may be seen in Fig. 10. As noted previously, the filament isthen bent back upon itself to form a V-shape. The V is sufficientlynarrow to approach the focal point of the reflector. The V preferably ismounted in an axial plane of the parabolic reflector in order to presentthe smallest possible projected area to interfere with light raysreflected from the reflecting surface 20 toward the front of the bulb.The V-shape of the filament allows the light to be concentrated aboutthe focal point of the parabolic reflector and thus to approximate thedesirable point source of light. Other filament shapes such as straight,circular, N'- shaped or U-shaped were found to give light beams whichwere diffused or contained dark spots or presented a flat beam of lightrather than the desirable circular beam.

The apex 96 of the V-shapedfilament is supported, as seen in Fig. 6, bya resilient wire support 98. A block I00 of glass, ceramic or other heatresisting insulating material is supported by legs I02 fused therein andextending to the filament leads 82. The filament leads are rather rigidthus maintaining the block I00 and the extremities of the filament infixed position. The support 98 previously alluded to comprises (Fig. 6)a resilient wire embedded in the block I00 and extending therefrom at anangle to the axis of the parabolic reflector. The support 98 is bentback toward the axis of the reflector and is provided with a U-shapedloop I04 through which the apex of the V-shaped filament passes loosely.The filament is looped over the 100p I04 at its apex in order that thewire at the apex may move back and forth through the loop I04 in alimited movement longitudinally of the filament to compensate for unevenexpansion and contraction of the legs of the filament with changes intemperature and also to space the legs sufficiently far apart that theycannot contact one another in response to a physical shock to thespotlight. Such contacting would present a lessened end-to-endresistance of the filament and result in a higher current which wouldburn out the filament. The resilient support 98 is initially set tocause a slight pull on the apex of the filament along the axis of thereflector so that as the filament lengthens when heated the support willspring slightly outwardly to keep the filament substantially taut andfree from sagging in an axial plane of the reflector to maintain thelight rays in proper focus. The support is sufficiently rigid to preventpermanent displacement of the filament from its initial position, butdue to its resiliency allows the filament to move slightly when aphysical shock is applied so that there is less danger of breakage thanwould occur if all strains had to be taken up by each individual leg ofthe filament. Although it is preferred that the support should have aninitial set so as to move axially and keep the filament taut, this isnot absolutely necessary as the U-shaped portion I04 is sufficientlydeep and the sides are arranged at a sufficiently sharp angle to preventdisplacement or disengagement of the filament therefrom when heated.

An additional advantage which is derived from the loose sliding contactbetween the apex of the filament and the U-shaped portion of the supportis that it avoids a hot spot that would be caused by a rigid connectionwhich would materially shorten the life of the filament.

A modification of the filament support is shown in Fig. '7. In thisfigure the filament leads or supports 8211 along with the filament 94a,insulating block I00a, and supporting legs I 020 [0 may be identicalwith those previously disclosed.

The intermediate filament support "a is embedded in the insulating block100a and extends at right angles to the block for a short distance fromwhence it extends parallel to the ax s of the parabolic reflector and isthen turned back at right angles to the axis to be terminated in aU-shaped portion lMa about which the apex 96a of the filament is looselylooped. An advantage to the form of support shown in Fig. 7 is thatthermal expanion of the elongated sect on of the support does not tendto introduce a force tending to move the apex of the filament away fromthe axis of the reflector and the filament is maintained substantiallyfree from sagging in an axial plane of the reflector.

A further modification of the filament support is shown in Fig. 8wherein parts which are identical with those previously shown areomitted with the exception of an ins lating block lllflb and supportinglegs I021) fused therein and extending therefrom. The support 98b inthis case is symmetrical about the axis of the parabola and is providedwith a U-shaped portion Hill) havin'z transverse extensions from botharms of the U integrally connected with longitud nal po tions I 06parallel to the axis of the reflector which are turned in toward oneanother at their ends and then extend into the block lDUb wherein theyare fused or otherwise suitably secured. The filament is supported bythis support in the same fashi n as by the supports previously disclo edand the support is less subject to a transverse vibration.

Fig. 9 shows another modification of the filament intermediate support.and a ain identical parts are omitted with the exception of an isulating block H100 and supporting 1891s 1020 therefor. In thismodification a thin strin I08 of material which may conveniently bemetal is provided with a bifurcated free end H0. The bifurcated endpresents a slot which is sufficiently deep to prevent disengagement ofthe filament therefrom when supported in a manner similar to thatshown'in preceding figures. and the extremity of the slot is preferablyrounded rather than V-shaped to prevent pinching or possible cutting ofthe filament. Although the slot provided by the bifurcated end H issufiicienty deep to prevent disengagement of the heat d filamenttherefrom, it is preferred that the stri I08 should have a suitablecoefiicient of thermal expansion to keep a slightly axial tension on thefilament at all times to maintain .the filament substantially free fromsagging. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the strip I08 may bedifferent from that of the filament as the primary change of dimensionof the strip occurs along the, axis of the reflector while the expansionof the filament acts to alter the length and cross section along pathswhich are not parallel to the axis of the reflector.

It is apparent that I have herein disclosed a portable light foroperation from a commercial power line to throw a substantially circularfocused beam of high intensity light a great distance. Structure hasbeen provided for handoperating the light and for supporting the lightin any desirable position. The filament has been reduced in size toapproximate as nearly as possible the desired point source of light forthe parabolic reflector used and a unique support has been provided tosupport the filament rigidly at its terminal ends and to support itintermediate its ends to protect it against physical shock and tomaintain it substantially in its iniof the filament as it is heated.

Obviously the'invention is not limited to the specific details ofconstruction disclosed herein but is capable of other modifications andchanges without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A portable spotlight for operation from a substantially 110 to 120voltpower line comprising a focusing reflector for producing a long beamhaving substantially parallel rays, a filament of suitable length andresistance for operation from said power line comprisin a plurality offilament portions angularly disposed relative to one another, a pair'ofspaced rigid supports disposed substantially in a common planecontaining the focal axis of said reflector, inwardly offset endportions on said supports substantially in said common plane for rigidlysupporting the terminal extremities of said filament portions in saidcommon plane, and means for supporting the filament in said common planeintermediate the end supports and substantially at a junction betweenadjacent angularly disposed portions, the plurality of supporting meanscooperating to support said filament substantially free from saggingsubstantially in said common plane containing the focal axis andsubstantially free from vibration.

2. A portable spotlight for operation from a substantially 110 to 120volt power line comprising a focusing reflector for producing a longbeam having substantially parallel rays, a filament of suitable lengthand resistance for operation from said power line comprising a pair offilament portions adapted to become incandescent and arranged insubstantially a V-shape, a pair of spaced rigid supports disposedsubstantially ina common plane containing the focal axis of saidreflector, inwardly directed end portions on said supports substantiallyin said common plane for rigidly supporting the terminal extremities ofsaid filament portions in said common plane, and means for supportingthe substantially V-shaped filament substantially at the apex thereofand with said apex substantially on the focal axis of said reflector,the plurality of supportin means supporting said filament substantiallyfree from vibration and substantially in said common plane containingthe focal axis of said reflector.

3. A portable spotlight comprising a reflector for producing arelatively long beam of substantially parallel rays, a pair of rigidfilament supports substantially parallel to and symmetrically disposedabout the focal axis of said reflector substantially in a common planecontaining said focal axis, the filament contacting ends of saidfilament supports extending toward one another in confronting spacedrelation substantially in said common plane, a filament comprising anextremely fine filamentary wire of substantial length for operation froma substantially volt to volt power line, said filament wire being formedin relatively minute coils and again coiled in relatively larger coiledportions, the axes of the relatively larger coiled portions extending insubstantially straight lines and interconnected by bight means, theterminal ends of said filament being clampingly engaged substantiallyalong the axes of said larger coiled portions and supported by theinturned confronting ends of.

said filament supports, and a support substantially in said common planefor supporting said filament intermediate the terminal ends thereof tomaintain the intermediate supported position of said filamentsubstantially constant in said common plane.

4. A portable spotlight comprising a reflector for producing a relativellong beam of substantially parallel rays, a pair of rigid filamentsupports substantially parallel to and symmetrically disposed about thefocal axis of said reflector in a common plane containing the focal axisof the reflector, a filament comprising an extremely fine filamentarywire of substantial length for operation from a commercial power line,said filament wire having portions angularly disposed relative to oneanother to form substantially a V-shape, means for rigidly supportingthe terminal ends of said filament by said filament supports, andadditional filament supporting and guiding means having sloping sidesarranged at a sharp acute angle and interconnected by a bight portionfor supporting said filament substantially at the apex thereof with saidapex substantially on the focal axis of said reflector, said supportingand guiding means being constructed and arranged initially to applytension to said filament substantially axially of said reflector andsaid sloping sides being adapted to guide said filament to its positionon said focal axis to maintain said filament substantially in saidcommon plane containin the focal axis of the reflector.

5. A portable spotlight for operation from a substantially 110 volt to120 volt power line comprising a focusing reflector for producing a longbeam having substantially parallel rays, a filament of suitableoperative length and resistance for operation from a substantially 110volt to 120 volt power line, said filament comprising a fine wire kinkedinto relatively minute coils and the so kinked filament coiled intolarger coils and thus to compact the filament to desired length with theaxes of the larger coils of adjacent portions of said filament angularlydisposed relative to one another to form a substantially V-shapedfilament concentrated substantially about the focal point of saidreflector, a pair of spaced rigid supports disposed substantially in acommon focal plane of said reflector, said supports having inwardlydirected portions formed with reversely bent ends clampingly engagingsubstantially the ends of the filament while crushing some coils thereofto provide a rigid mechanical support and good electrical connection forsaid filament, and filament supporting means for supporting saidsubstantially v-shaped filament substantially at the apex thereof withthe apex on the focal axis of said reflector for maintaining allportions of said filament sub stantially free from sagging about thefocal point of said reflector under all operatin conditions andtemperatures whereby to maintain said long beam properly focused.

6. A portable spotlight for operation from a substantially volt to voltpower line comprising a focusing reflector for producing a long beamhaving substantially parallel rays, a filament of suitable operativelength and resistance for operation from a substantially 110 volt to 120volt power line, said filament comprising a fine wire kinked intorelatively minute coils and the so kinked filament coiled into largercoils and thus to compact the filament to desired length with the axesof the larger coils of adja cent portions of said filament angulardisposed relative to one another to form a substantially V-shapedfilament concentrated substantially about the focal point of saidreflector, a pair of spaced rigid supports disposed substantially in acommon focal plane of said reflector, said supports having inwardlydirected portions formed with reversely bent ends clampingly engagingsubstantially the ends of the filament while crushing some coils thereofto provide a rigid mechanical support and good electrical connection forsaid filament, and filament supporting and guiding means includingspaced side surfaces arranged at a sharp acute angle and connected by abight portion for supporting said substantially V-shaped filamentsubstantially at the apex thereof with the apex on the focal axis ofsaid reflector for maintaining all portions of said filamentsubstantially free from sagging about the focal point of said reflectorunder all operating conditions and temperatures whereby to maintain saidlong beam properly focused.

HENRY R. GROSS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,826,025 Rose Oct. 6, 19312,135,263 Sisson Nov. 1. 1938 2,245,782 Holloway June 17, 1941 2,366,292Smith Jan. 2, 1945 2,436,259 Keiifer Feb. 17, 1948

